Hutchinson’s withdrawal means Kelly, the Cook County chief administrative officer, will head toward the Feb. 26 election as the strong favorite in the race for the Chicagoland seat. Hutchinson and Kelly, who are African-American, had been dividing the support of the district’s black voters, a circumstance that could have handed Debbie Halvorson, a white former congresswoman, a win.

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In exiting the Democratic primary, Hutchinson, a state senator, cited a desire to keep the seat in the hands of an African-American representative. African-Americans make up a narrow majority of voters in the district, which spans Chicago’s South Side and several nearby suburban counties.

“I urge those who have been supporting me to now work hard for Robin over the next nine days. I have said from Day One that this campaign is not about me or any one person; it’s about moving America forward and standing with President Obama to create new jobs and safer communities. Robin is a friend and has captured momentum in pulling our community together,” Hutchinson said in a statement. “I am simply unwilling to risk playing a role going forward that could result in dividing our community at a time when we need unity more than ever.”

With the primary just a little over a week away, Hutchinson’s name will remain on the ballot.

While Halvorson is the only white candidate in the race, over a dozen African-American candidates have been competing for support — with polls showing Kelly and Hutchinson receiving the most backing. But over the past week, Kelly has been consolidating the support of the African-American community, securing the endorsements of Reps. Danny Davis and Bobby Rush, two influential figures in Chicago politics.

Kelly also won the endorsement of New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, whose super PAC is expected to spend around $2 million on Chicago’s TV airwaves attacking Halvorson over her past support from the National Rifle Association. The group’s ads have damaged the former congresswoman, who had been regarded as the early front-runner in the race.

“Today is a good day for the 2nd Congressional District,” Kelly said in a statement. “While Sen. Hutchinson and I haven’t agreed on everything, we have a strong mutual respect, share a passion for public service and dedication to the people in Chicago and the Southland. I’m pleased to have her on our team.”

The 2nd Congressional District leans heavily Democratic, so whoever wins the primary is all but certain to win the general election.